Coach/Support Boat Recommendation

[MaineSailor]

Hi all -

I'm looking for a small inflatable support boat for high school sailors. The boat only needs to handle 3 people max.

Primary use case is providing safety support for high school sailor in an ILCA/Laser or 420.

Most boating will be done in an ocean bay with seas of generally 2-3 feet and up to 15 kts. Never really traveling more than 0.5 miles from shore, out for about 2-3 hours at a stretch.

For the motor, we currently already have a Torqeedo Travel 1003 that ideally would be able to get the job done, but realize we may need to get a small gas motor.

Ideally something that can hit 5-10 kts with 2 people in it without feeling like it is being pushed to its limits or about to catch air.

Looking for something that can roll up and store in a SUV, since we'll already be trailering the ILCA or 420. Ideally under 120lbs, with light enough for 1 person being a perk.

Price point is under $2500 if something matching all this is possible.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

[ShinyShoe]

I'm looking for a small inflatable support boat for high school sailors. The boat only needs to handle 3 people max.

Primary use case is providing safety support for high school sailor in an ILCA/Laser or 420.

IMO - you need the ability to be able to quickly and safely recover the number of sailors you are responsible for in a single boat load.

So a 420 is double handed. Most governing bodies will tell you a sailing safety boat requires a double crew so you are at 4 people minimum. If you have 2 x 420, you are at 6 people minimum.

In the UK junior classes would expect a MINIMUM 1:10 safety boat ratio. Often 1:8. If you have a committee boat etc, you may be able to shuttle sailors to that in an abandon all boats situation. You don't want to be going ashore with half and coming back.

Your torquido is way off the mark.

Also you need to be able to go a good bit faster than the boat you support. How fast can a 420 go? If you have 2 boats on opposite tacks they are in effect traveling twice that speed

Distance off shore is only relevant if they can't drift offshore.

(You are gonna need a bigger boat. But it may not need to be inflatable.)

Minimum on INLAND water in UK seems to be a 3.6m "Jaffa" type rotomoulded boat with 15hp tiller steer on the back. Your coaches will hate you

[Matt]

Agree with this, although I do hate those rotomoulded boats - nevertheless, they do the job.

[ShinyShoe]

As an owner of a 3.9m rotomoulded with 30horses on the back and a steering wheel in the middle, my view is the roto ain't the issue!